Economics HL/SL - IB DP course syllabus

Transcription

1 Economics HL/SL - IB DP course syllabus School of Young Politicians Gymnasium 1306 Teacher: V. S. Tarabukina NATURE OF THE SUBJECT Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of the study of individuals and societies. The study of economics is essentially about the concept of scarcity and the problem of resource allocation. Although economics involves the formulation of theory, it is not a purely theoretical subject: economic theories can be applied to real-world examples. As a social science, economics uses scientific methodologies that include quantitative and qualitative elements and relate to many other fields of study. The IB Diploma Programme economics course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting countries, governments and societies. These economic theories are not to be studied in a vacuum rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development and environmental sustainability. The ethical dimensions involved in the application of economic theories and policies permeate throughout the economics course as students are required to consider and reflect on human end-goals and values. The economics course encourages students to develop international perspectives, fosters a concern for global issues, and raises students awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national and international level. The course also seeks to develop values and attitudes that will enable students to achieve a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve these issues, appreciating our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interdependent world. Economics and prior learning No particular background in terms of specific subjects studied for national or international qualifications is expected or required and no prior knowledge of economics is necessary for students to undertake a course of study based on this specification. However, a familiarity with economic concepts would be an advantage. Aims and Objectives Aims The aims of the economics course at higher level and standard level are to: provide students with a core knowledge of economics encourage students to think critically about economics promote an awareness and understanding of internationalism in economics encourage students' development as independent learners

2 enable students to distinguish between positive and normative economics enable students to recognize their own tendencies for bias. The overall aim of the course is to give students a deeper understanding of the nature and scope of economics. The different parts of the course are designed to complement each other enabling students to develop a range of fundamental economic skills.

3 Objectives Having followed the Diploma Programme course in economics, candidates will we expected to: 1. have an understanding and knowledge of economic concepts and theories 2. apply economic theory to a range of circumstances and a variety of situations 3. analyse information through the use of economic concepts and theories 4. evaluate concepts and theories from different economic perspectives Difference between HL and SL The HL course in economics differs from the SL course in economics in terms of the: hours devoted to teaching (240 hours for HL compared to 150 hours for SL) extra depth and breadth required (HL extension topics) nature of the examination question INFORMATION ABOUT ASSESSMENTS (HIGHER LEVEL ASSESSMENT) (For first examinations in 2013) Assessment component Weighting External assessment (4 hours) 80% Paper 1 (1 hour and 30 minutes) An extended response paper (50 marks) 30% Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 1 microeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 2 macroeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Paper 2 (1 hour and 30 minutes) 30% A data response paper (40 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 3 international economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 4 development economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks) 20% Use of calculators are not permitted in Paper 1 and paper 2 (SL/HL) Paper 3 (1 hour) HL extension paper (50 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2 and 4 Syllabus content, including HL extension material: sections 1 to 4 microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, development economics Students answer two questions from a choice of three. (25 marks per question)

4 Internal assessment (20 teaching hours) 20% This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Students produce a portfolio of three commentaries, based on different sections of the syllabus and on published extracts from the news media. Year 1 Planner Jan Course confirmation (22 nd wed) Week st Jan Intro social sciences - scarcity, choice, opportunity cost Economic models - PPF, trade cycle, circular flow, demand and Week Feb supply Week Feb demand and supply with linear functions. Week Feb Section One : MICRO ECONOMICS general graph consumer and producer surplus. DWL. AE Waitangi day (6 th Feb) Swimming Finals (7 th Feb) Athletics (13 th Feb) Week Mar EOTC Leadership Week Mar Government intervention tax, subsidies Week Mar Government intervention price controls Week Mar Government intervention price controls Week Mar Elasticity Week April Week April Elasticity Elasticity th- 9th NISS Rowing (7 March) Polyfest Tutor parent interviews 14 th Summer tournament week Week April Market failure Term 2 Week May Market failure 10 th May School Ball Week May Section 2 : MACROECONOMICS - Measuring national income Y12 OPE camp 12 th and 13 th Week May Measuring economic development Y12 Work Choice day 20 th Musical Production 21 st to 24 th Week May AD & AS 30 th Waikato Exchange Week June AD, AS Queen s birthday (2 nd

5 June) Week Jun Multiplier equation Week June Inflation - monetary policy Week June Inflation fiscal policy / Fiscal budget Week July Inflation supply side polices Birthday concert P5 (13 rd June) Wellington trip (17 th and 18 th June) Stage Challenge (1 st - 3 rd July) Week Aug TOD (29 th Monday) House music (3 1st July) Market structure cost, revenue, profit HL only Week Aug MC = MR analysis / profits maximisation HL only Week Aug Perfect competition vs Monopoly HL only Week Aug Monopoly HL only Price discrimination Week Aug Monopolistic competition HL only Week Sept Oligopoly HL only Winter Tournament week Week Sept REVISION School Examinations start 11 th September Week Sept SCHOOL EXAMS finish 19 th Week Sept Feedback exam Introduce INTERNAL Growth PPF, fiscal policy Term 4 Week Oct Growth Week Oct Unemployment Week Oct Unemployment Week Nov Distribution of income / equity Week Nov Distribution of income- fiscal policy tax system Week Nov INTERNAL Week Nov Check point One - Internal Internal Check point 1 Week Dec Term 4 ends

6 Year 2 Planner Term 1 Week Jan Revisit Handbook/ course requirement Week Feb Section 3 International economics Comparative, absolute Free trade protectionism Week Feb Free trade protectionism Internal Checkpoint 2 WTO free trade agreement, trading block Week Feb Exchange rate Week Feb Exchange rate Week Mar EOTC Week Mar Balance of Payment Week Mar Balance of Payment Week Mar Economic integration Week Apr Terms of trade Section 4 : Development Week Apr Economics Economic development Week Apr Term 2 Week May Domestic factors Week May Domestic factors Week May INTERNAL Week May International trade Week Jun Foreign direct investment Final hand in portfolio Week Jun Foreign aid Week Jun International debt Week Jun Balance between markets and intervention Term 2 ends Term 3 Week Jul Section One HL topics only

7 Week Aug Section One revision Week Aug Section Two HL topics only Week Aug Section Two revision Week Aug Section Three - revision Week Aug Section Four revision Week Sept Revision Week Sept EXAMS Week Sept Feedback Week Sept Term 3 ends Term 4 Week 1 Week 2 Week, Oct Oct Oct Revision Revision Week4 3-7 Nov IB EXAMS